Missiles on Menu as Hezbollah, Iran and Syria Dine

Feb. 26, 2010

By SIMON MCGREGOR-WOOD

Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese radical Shiite group Hezbollah, came out of hiding Thursday night for dinner in Damascus with his two closest allies, the presidents of Syria and Iran.

The Hezbollah owned and controlled Lebanese TV station al Manar reported the first visit by Nasrallah to Damascus for many years. Since the conflict with Israel in 2006 he has been a virtual recluse for fear of Israel assassination attempts.

Syrian President Bashar al Assad warned Israel against starting a new conflict.

"We believe we are facing an entity that is capable of aggression at any point and we are preparing ourselves for any Israeli aggression," Assad said.

The Obama administration has decided to appoint an ambassador in Damascus for the first time since 2005 in an effort to improve relations. Analysts detect an attempt to draw Syria away from its Iranian ally. Washington has also expressed support for a reopening of negotiations between Israel and Syria over the fate of the Israeli occupied Golan Heights.

U.S. Trying to Lure Syria Away From Iranian Alliance

Ahmadinejad's visit to Damascus and the face time he is spending with radical Palestinian and Lebanese factional leaders may be an attempt to remind all of them who pays for their arms and equipment.

And in a pointed response to U.S. calls for Syria to move away from Iran, the Syrian and Iranian presidents announced Thursday an end to all visa requirements for their two peoples.